Nepal, Feb. 26 -- On February 18, as a prelude to their protest against non-payment for their milk supplies since October last year, dairy farmers of Chitwan District spilt several hundred litres of milk at the Bharatpur Bus Park cross-section. The farmers say they are awaiting payment of Rs520 million in Chitwan alone. In total, processing companies owe about Rs6 billion to milk producers nationwide. The government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) alone owes over Rs1 billion.

Nepal's dairy farmers have announced a 10-day Kathamndu-centric protest demanding payment from dairy companies, including the DDC. Last Thursday, about 15 farmers' organisations formed the National Farmers' Network, which includes the Nepal Peasants' Feder...